Jayson Tatum returns to the NBA
St. Louis American See page B5
The
MARCH 12 – 18, 2026
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
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Vol. 97 No. 48 COMPLIMENTARY
Women on the front lines
Often unseen, social workers help keep Missouri families together By Ashley Winters St. Louis American
In the St. Louis metro area, more than half of new hires may leave within a year.
Social workers, the majority of them women, rarely see the public moments of the families they help. More often, their work happens quietly with parents trying to hold their families together. “Our social workers and case managers do not step in once and then disappear,” said Latizia Williams, assistant director of the parenting program at Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of
Missouri. “They sit at kitchen tables, develop supportive relationships through challenges like court appearances, financial hardships and educating parents about parenting techniques to enhance parent-child interactions. They keep showing up until families find stability.” Across Missouri, that kind of work adds up quickly. Social workers with the St. Louis-based nonprofit interacted with children and families more
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Latizia Williams, left, and Cyrini Daniels, social workers at Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, support families and children in St. louis through counseling, resources and advocacy. Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
Mercy selects Tricia McGusty Veteran executive to lead St. Louis hospital network
By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
Dr. Nikole Shurn, principal of Lieberman Learning Center, stands inside the school hallway at University City High School. Shurn is a former Teach For America educator and now leads the school with a focus on expanding opportunity and support for students with specialized learning needs.
Teach For America resumes St. Louis placements will begin again amid praise, skepticism
By Leah Gullet For The St. Louis American Dr. Nikole Shurn did not begin her career intending to become an educator. She earned a master’s degree in communications from Webster University and planned a career in that field. A series of personal changes redirected her path, and in 2014 Shurn joined Teach for America, which recruits “high-potential” leaders from diverse academic backgrounds for two-year teaching commitments in under-resourced schools following intensive summer training. Shurn said the program opened a path into education that eventually led her into leadership. She now serves as principal of the Lieberman Learning Center in University City. “I do give credit to Teach for America for even providing that
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Critics argue the training period is too short and that placing novice teachers in high-needs schools can contribute to instability.
Leading Mercy’s largest hospital and overseeing millions of dollars in expansion projects will be the first major tasks facing Tricia McGusty as the new president of Mercy St. Louis Communities. Mercy has named the veteran hospital executive to the role after a nationwide search, placing her in charge of Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur and a network of regional outpatient clinics, surgery centers and related healthcare facilities serving eastern Missouri. “Her proven ability to guide complex health systems, paired with her deep passion for our mission and the people we serve, makes her an outstanding choice for this role,” said David Argueta, Mercy senior vice president and president of community operations. Tricia McGusty In the position, McGusty will oversee hospital operations while helping guide Mercy’s long-term planning and development across its St. Louis facilities. Her responsibilities will include major capital projects already underway in the region, including renovations at Mercy Hospital St. Louis and a $75 million expansion at Mercy South. Mercy officials said details of another large campus renovation have not yet been announced. One of her first priorities will be overseeing a large campus renovation at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. McGusty brings more than 25 years of experience in health care, including leadership roles at large hospital systems. She most recently served as chief operating officer at HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest and also served as interim chief
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